Home media server

[Ryan.Cockbain]

Hi guys,

My next build is going to be a media server for my house. The server will be used to store all multimedia files and I will also put all those files on an external drive in case the HDD’s crash, then the pc’s will not need to have multimedia files that hog space on a pc. I will also create regular back-ups of all the machines in the home network. I will probably also connect a network printer etc.


The spec machine that I have come up with so far is:

1. CPU: Intel core i3 550 – 3.2GHz Dual Core (Might be too much power that will just be idling most of the time? But might be sensible as I won’t need to upgrade for a long time!)
2. Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-H55M-UD2H LGA 1156
3. Power Supply: 500W PSU
4. Ram: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
5. HDD’s: For the OS will get a small drive like a 160 GB drive or a 80 GB SSD. Then for storage will get a 2TB drive for now (Can always expand if need be).
7. OS: I am not entirely sure yet? Windows home server looks good, or the other option is to use a linux distribution? (Your opinions?)

What are your thoughts on this system?

Thanks
Ryan

[Monty]

5.1 - don't bother with an SSD, would be a waste.
5.2 - Get more than one HDD, put them in a RAID array (RAID 1 if you only have 2 drives, RAID 5(6) if you have more). You say you'll do regular backups, but you'll get over it and then something will fail and there will be tears.

I run Win7 on my home server, keeps all our PCs talking nicely

Get a case that can take many drives.

[ADV4NCED]

Agree with everything monty said above!

My home media centre pc also runs Win 7, absolutely nothing wrong with it